Feeling 'neglected', BJP's L Chandrashekhar backs out of contest 2 days before by-poll

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Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate L Chandrashekhar, who had filed his nomination from Ramanagara assembly constituency, withdrew his candidature ahead of the by-elections slated to be held on November 3.

Chandrashekhar stated that he was being neglected by senior party leaders and pinned the blame of retiring from the contest on the BJP top brass.

"On joining BJP, I called up many senior leaders but nobody responded to me. I was feeling neglected. I belonged to Congress and I will return to my party," L Chandrashekhar told media after withdrawing his candidature.

Reacting to the charge, BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa said that it is a charade played by JDS and Congress. "We didn't have any support in Ramnagar. The Janata Dal-Secular candidate from the Ramangara is Anita Kumaraswamy, who is the spouse of HD Kumaraswamy. The (Congress and JDS) have played strategy and games. This shows the illicit power of money of the two brothers," alleged the senior leader.

Hitting back at the BJP, senior Congress leader DK Suresh said that the party has no discipline. "There is no discipline in BJP. He (L Chandrashekhar) was not being treated well there. They (BJP) wanted to divide the Congress family," Suresh asserted.

Karnataka chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy echoed similar sentiments and lambasted the BJP for not looking after their party candidates.

"We will not be involved in any horse-trading in the elections. The Ramanagara polls are fairly one-sided as Anita Kumaraswamy will win. The BJP frequently neglects the people who join the party ranks. The others who have defected to BJP will also be shunned in the party later. BJP's neglect of Chandrashekhar is the reason he returned to the Congress," stated the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader.

The by-polls will be held for three Lok Sabha constituencies and two Assembly seats.